Abducted 66-Year-Old Businessman Found Dead In Shallow Grave

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE OGBONNAYA ONOVO.

Edo Kidnappers free retired Lt. Col David Nehikhare

Asaba (THEWILL) - A sixty six year old businessman and a father of four, Mr. Nze Jerome Atusiaka, has been found dead and buried in a shallow grave in an uncompleted building more than a month after he was kidnapped by gun men.  

Atusiaka who was kidnapped a fortnight ago by a four man gang at Memeh /Convent street junction in Boji Boji Owa, in Ika North East local government area of Delta State was said to have been trailed from his business premises along Lagos / Asaba road in Ika Metropolis while returning home from work with his family members.

An eyewitness account said that, Atusiaka, who is from Anambra State, was driving home at about 6:55pm in his Toyota van, along with his two sons and a business associate when four armed youths forcefully took him into an unmarked brown colored Toyota Camry car.

It was gathered that the kidnappers had demanded a N50 million ransom from the victim.

It was also gathered that they reduce it to three million naira but the inability of the family members to raise the money prompted the kidnappers to accept three hundred thousand naira.

Mr. Emeka Atusiaka, one of the sons of Mr. Atusiaka said that, while their negotiations and conversations with the kidnappers lasted, they were not giving the opportunity to speak with their dad raising fear that the worst may have happened to him, adding that soon after the incident, the police and the State Security Services were alerted.

He further stated that the combined efforts of the police and State Security Services led to the arrest of four suspects in connection with the abduction, and that they are currently in police custody. 

However, family members of Atusiaka have raised eyebrows over the circumstances surrounding the kidnap and murder of the father, saying “some powerful individuals, who wanted to settle old scores with their father may be behind the dastardly act”.

Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Yakubu Alkali who spoke through the public relations officer, Mr. Charles Muka, while confirming the development, said “ we have three suspects in our custody in respect of the kidnap and murder of one Jerome Atusiaka, the body of the victim was recovered in a shallow grave in Agbor.”

He added that “during our investigation we recovered a barrette pistol from one of the suspects who has made a confessional statement and investigations are still on going, we shall take the matter to court as soon as we conclude with investigation.”      

In a two page petition sent to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbona Onovo, and signed by Barrister S.O. A Gbenoba and Mr. Chima Atusiaka, titled, “ Kidnap And Subsequent Murder of Mr. Atusiaka Jerome Allegedly By Dennis Araro and Mr. James Abeye”, alleged that Mr. Atusiaka's death was a mastermind of some individuals.

The petition stated that the suspects arrested in connection with the kidnap and murder are Dennis Araro, Odita Okoh, Eman Achia, Johnbull Oriahi, James Ebeye, Chalie Okwuohi and one Ejime who drove the brown Toyota Camry used in the crime on October 24, 2009.  

The petition further stated that the Delta State Police Command arrested four persons over the act but one was subsequently shot dead by the team after making a confessional statement, incriminating Mr. Dennis Araro, Mr. James Ebeye, Mr. Paul Atusiaka, his son and Mr. Chinoso Atusiaka, an alleged well known notorious criminal who has been in hiding since the arrests started.

According to the petition, the suspects confessed to killing Jerome and had him buried quietly at the command of Dennis Araro, who is the Chairman, Ika South National Union of Road Transport Workers, Agbor, a thug and alleged cultist.

They appealed to the IG to take over investigations from the Delta State Police Command alleging concerns over plans to scuttle investigations and frustrate the case.

Meanwhile, the kidnappers who abducted Lieutenant Colonel David Nehikhare (RTD), father of Christopher and Osagie Nehikhare, from his GRA, Benin City residence on Thursday released him on Monday, December 13, 2009.

The family say no ransom was paid.

THEWILL investigations show that a gang of about six men in two old Audi 80 cars trailed the businessman on his way back home from work at about 5 p.m. and drove into to his compound shooting sporadically into air before he was taken. The operation lasted for about three minutes we were told by eyewitnesses.

The kidnappers had made an initial demand for N80 million naira but surprisingly let the ex soldier go after he appealed to them saying he was short of cash at this time.

The police in the state confirmed the incident and say they are investigating.

Last week the Edo State police department arrested an alleged member of a kidnap gang Henry Okonofua and his girl friend, Iriagbonse Osunde in Benin City.